Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-05
WAII LEE IN A BAD WAY
ON TRIAL FOR ROBBING A FEEL
LOW WASHEF-WA


Hall OF savannah's Chinese population
were in the Superior Court room yester-
day morning, interested spectators in the
trial Of Wan Lee, a fellow countryma
aud a fellow laundrymau. The defendant
was charged with the larceny OF SS4 from
Henry Sans Overcoat pocket The al
legged theltoccured last December' and
an account was published OF it at the time
in the MORNING NEWS.
Henry Sam. spruce-looklng young
Celestial, was first examined lie stated
that he came to savannah from New
York nine weeks ago to go into business.
He never knew Wan l. ee before he came
here, he said, and met him for the first
time with some trends in Wah's shop on
Dray on street. Ga the afternoon that
the money was stolen, or was charged TO
have been stolen. tue witness said that be
went into Wah Lees place aud passed
through the building and out into the
water closet. In going through the house
he left his overcoat in the middle room.
Fifteen minutes later, when be went
back, his pOcket.bo0k and some letters
were missing.
KNEW WHAT AN OATH WAS.
On the cross-eXamination sam stated
fb at he understood the nature OF an oath.
1ie very soon developed into ny" Wit
ness when questioned by Mr.. O'Byrne, OF
the counsel for the defense, aud kept the
spectators well entertained. lie was
Rsked what he did before he came to
Savannah, and he replied that he was
plerk in bis uncle's grocery store on Mott
Street, He lett New York to make
money. When he starred for Savannah
he had $50 or $40 with which TO start
grocery. The outlook here was not very
encouraging, however, and he went to
Bruins wick, He made several trips there
land spent all of his money. Then he
borrowed $40 from Joe Lee and S44 from
Sam lee, two Savannah laundrymen.
What relation is sam Lee to you"'
counsel asked.
HIS GOOD ''FLIEND."
"Sam Lee my glcod liend," he an
swered. When the question was eX-
planned, he stated that Sam Lee is his
mothers sisters son and Joe Lee Sans
brother. The witness spoke English
very well, but he finally got bothered and
interrupted the attorney, eXcltedty say
ing: "Don't talkee so CLICK. | can't un-
herstRnd. You talkee 30 loud maKee me
dleaf.'
When asked where his pocket-book was
the witness promptly answered: "Gone!"
He was told TO describe what LOOK place
when he missed his pOcket-book. Il
gone. He SAID he did not knowee. 1 said
my monee no got fleet. He no walkee
of"
The witness testified that he asked
Wan Lee il there had been any one else
in the room, and Wah said that there had
not been. Wah was asked five or elk
times for the money, and he declared that
the did not have it.
GOT AN OFFICER.
Then the witness said he went of and
got Constable Henry Wetherhorn and
they went back and searched the place
and found two letters and two postal cards
behind a broom in one corner OF the room.
sam said that the letters were his, and
had been in his OvercOat. The witness
added that he never asked Wan Lee to
loan HIM any money, and did not KNOW
that Wah had any.
The constable was next sworn. He
said that Wash" Lee invited him TO
search the laundry. and opened his trunk
10 assist in the search. The defendant
denied having taken the money when he
was first accused by the witness. and
said that the letters had been put in the
corner by Henry Sam. Wan stated that
he had $500 or $500 In bank, but would not
give up $S4 10 sam.
EVIDENCE BY PROXY.
Wan Lee, although twice his prose.
cutor's age, cannot speak English very
well, and Mr.. Wary 5. Charles an edu-
Gated Chinese Interpreter, WAS sworn to
translate Lees statement to the jury.
Wan Lee tnen proceeded, saying that
Henry Sam called at his place several
times and wanted to borrow $50. The de-
iendauI declined. Finally. on the day in
question, sam entered the laundry and
repeated his request for loan. Upon
being refused, sam walked out. mutter-
w pi
At that point Sam jumped up eXcitedly
and called 10 the interpreter, ~ on keepee
quiet, keepee Qulet!"
The interruption disturbed the serenity
OF the listeners, and it was II minute or
Two before quiet was restored.
SAM GETS EXCITED.
sam intimated that the Interpreter was
Hot correctly trauslating Lees statement
Half an hour after going of, Sam came
back with an officer. They searched the
place and found nothing but some letters
and postal cards, which the old laundry
man declared be had seen his young ell
l0w-cOuntrymau drop there. sam sug-
Gested that they might compromise the
matter, and told Wan that ii he did not
he would have TO go to jail. 81 said that
i would go to jail, them Wan
added, and he was taken be-
fore magistrate and was comm ted
TO jail. He remained there one day and
was called on by Sam Lee, who advised
HIM to sell out his business and go back
10 China. After he got out OF Jail SAM
Lee again went TO see him and wanted
him TO give Henry sam written state.
ment eXonerating him from the charge of
bringing the prosecution.
A CHINESE CUSTOM.
IL appears that something OF that kind
was wanted TO prevent the Chinese o.
CARNATIONS In THIS country from court
martiallng the prosecutor IN case Wan
Should be acquitted.
The defendant was told that he would
get or years in the state prison unless
he compromised. Tie was advised 80
Bettle the matter and keep quiet about Il.
To that he replied that he did not steal
the money and he would not compromise.
The Interpreter stated that ne came
from New York ut Wah Lees expense.
he had never seen Yah Lee before ue
came here, he said. MIR. Charles said
that he IS a Christian and u professional
court interpreter. Henry Sam had en-
gagged j. j. Abrams. Esq, and the state
was represented by solicitor General du-
Bignou. Wah Lee was defended by NJ
a. OByrne, Esq, and George ). owens.
ESQ. The case was gwen 90 The Jury at
J o'clock IN the afternoon aud AT mid
night an agreement had not been reached.